198 HOW TO KEEP WELL 



Disease bacteria come from sick people or from sick 

 animals. The tuberculosis bacteria (or bacilli) in the air 

 come from persons suffering from tuberculosis; the typhoid 

 germs in water come from the bodies of typhoid patients. 

 Tuberculosis germs are widespread because people suffering 

 with tuberculosis carelessly spit on the street and on the floor. 

 The spit, or sputum, together with the bacteria which it con- 

 tains, dries and is scattered far and wide by the wind. If 

 the bacteria get into the mouth or nose, they make their 

 way to the lungs, stomach, and intestines. The pocket hand- 

 kerchiefs and the towels used by a consumptive are full of 

 germs, and should not be carelessly left around or shared with 

 any one. A person suffering with tuberculosis should cover his 

 mouth with his handkerchief when coughing or sneezing. 

 If he does not, he fills the air with particles of moisture in which 

 hundreds of bacilli live. There are almost innumerable ways 

 in which bacilli are scattered from a sick person to a well person. 



Typhoid bacteria live in the walls of the intestines of the 

 patient and get into the waste matter discharged from the 

 bowels. If this waste matter is not promptly disposed of, flies 

 alight on it and carry away bacteria on their bodies. When 

 these flies later alight on bread, sugar, and other substances 

 they leave typhoid bacteria on the food. Sometimes the 

 waste matter, or excreta, of typhoid patients is carried by 

 pipes to a river. The river moves onward and carries the 

 typhoid germs to remote regions. If we could prevent care- 

 less and unnecessary scattering of germs from sick people 

 and animals we would eliminate many of the most dangerous 

 diseases. 



Common sense in overcoming bacteria. The best way to 

 keep ourselves well and resistant to germs is to eat plain whole- 

 some food, to sleep long and in a well-aired room, to take as 

 much fresh air and exercise as possible, to wear warm clothing 



